Reviewed by Fiona Talbot-Leigh, Sunday 4th June 2017.
Mama Alto performed her show,
Mama Alto: Torch Songs, as part of this year's Cabaret Fringe. The uniqueness she brings in both song and persona enchanted all who were fortunate enough to have been in her presence, such is her allure.
Mama Alto is acclaimed as one of Melbourne's most prolific and exquisite cabaret talents whose career highlights include, performing a sold-out tribute to the centenary of
Billie Holiday's birth at the Melbourne Recital Centre, becoming a featured performer in the Chamaco award winning Finucane & Smith tour to the 2015 Havana International Theatre Festival in Cuba, winning the Fringe Weekly Award for the Best Cabaret at the 2014 Adelaide Fringe and, in 2015, she was nominated for Artist of the Year at the GLOBE LGBTI awards.
Mama Alto is an entity unto herself and from her first note, my senses snapped to attention. For the next ninety minutes, I was transfixed. Through Mama Alto's exquisite and velvety vocals I was transported back to the 1930s as she channelled her inner
Billie Holiday. Her vocals are sublime and her earlier promise of relieving you of your worries for the afternoon was fulfilled after the very first number. Her voice is of such beauty that it's hard to find the words to describe. To listen to her is an unforgettable experience.
All in attendance were treated to just a sample of the 200 songs Mama Alto has in her repertoire, along with her musical director and pianist extraordinaire, Miss Chief. Her soulful playing complimented Mama's vocals beautifully and, during the show, Mama Alto graciously gave her the chance to shine with her own musical interludes, for which the audience was most appreciative. The two have been working together for seven years now and, if this performance was anything to go by, I look forward to their long future together.
Mama Alto is simply captivating. She breathed new life into every song that she sang, and her renditions of
Stormy Weather,
First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, and
For You, evoked such emotion from her audience it was palpable. Every single note was not only sung with perfection but with tones that warmed your soul and drew you in. Each final note of a song would leave you hanging in that space somewhere between 'I just want to indulge in this moment a little longer' to 'please don't let it end' that, in itself, is the true essence of a magical performer, which Mama Alto definitely is.
As well as gifting us with songs, throughout her show, Mama Alto graciously shared with us small snippets of her life and those musicians who have had an impact on her and who helped shape her into the wonderful performer that she is now.
Aside from her charm and incredible talent, what also struck me about Mama Alto is that there was not a hint of ego during the entire performance. All who were there could easily see her in bigger venues playing to thousands but Mama Alto expressed her gratefulness of being onstage at the intimate La Boheme and exclaiming how beautiful the club was and how happy she was to present us with our own special Sunday afternoon Jazz Party.
For a short time, Adelaide held a precious jewel, Mama Alto, whose season has, sadly, ended. Look out for her return and make sure that, when she does, you book a seat at her cabaret table, for Mama Alto has been touched by the hand of the Blues God and she is like nothing you have ever seen.
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